Darning-last.



No. 700,866. Patented May 27, I902.

Efn. WHITE.

DARNING LAST.

A limion filed July 31, 1899.)

(No Mddal.)

UNITED STATES PATENT O FICE. v

EDNA D. \Vl-IITE, OF STILLMAN VALLEY, ILLINOIS. l

DARNlNG-LAST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,866, dated May 27, 1902. Applicatioufiled July 31, 1899. Serial No.725i644. (No model-l To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDNA D. WHITE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stillman Valley, in the county of Ogle and State of Illinois, have invented certaiunew and useful Improvements in Darning Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is the production of an instrument adapted to assist in the operation ofdarning knit fabrics. In the process of darning parallel longitudinal threads, corresponding to the warp-threads of a woven fabric, are first drawn across the hole to be darned, and a cross-thread, corresponding to the woof-thread, is passed alternately over and under the longitudinal threads-a process quite similar to that of weaving. In the instrument herein shown two series of loops are provided, corresponding somewhat in function to the heddle-eyes of the harnesses in a loom, each series of loops being mounted on the free end of a tilting plate, every alternate longitudinal thread passing through the loops of one series and the remaining longitudinal threads through the loops of the other series. It will therefore be seen that when one tilting plate is raised and the other lowered a shed is formed between the alternate longitudinal threads, through which the woofthread may be drawn.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a darning apparatus clamped in position upon a fabric representing the darning as partially completed. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the same on dotted line a; m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the darning apparatus. Fig. 4: is a longitudinal Vertical section thereof on dotted line y 1 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section on dotted line 2 5 of Fig. Fig. 6 is an enlarged View of one of the thread-holding loops, representing the thread as being withdrawn therefrom.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment here shown of this invention I have provided a framework A of elliptical outline, having the binding-hoop B for holding the fabric to be darned upon the elliptical framework A. The hoop B is sufficiently larger than the elliptical framework A to permit the thickness of the fabric to be interposed between said hoop and said framework.

Two tilting plates 0 and D are mounted upon the pivots C and D within the framework A and have the upturned thumb-pieces O and D respectively. The free edges of said pivotal plates are parallel and lie adjacent to each other, each being provided on its upper face with a series of standing loops C and D respectively, through which the warp-threads of the darn areintended to pass. The loops of the said series are not placed opposite one another, but alternate in their positions across thedarning apparatus. The end of the wire constituting each of said loops is free to be sprung away from the stem of the loop when it isdesirable to remove the warp-threads from the loops, providing an opening in the loop, through which the warpthread' may be drawn.

G" is the shank of the loop, and C an indentation formed in said shank for the reception of the end of the wire forming the loop.

In operation the fabric is stretched over the elliptical framework A and held securely in position by placing the hoop B over it. Thread or yarn is drawn by a needle across the hole to be darned, each thread extending through one of the eyes of the loops 0 and D respectively. These constitute the warpthreads. When the warp-threads are all in position, the darning apparatus is grasped in the hand of the operator, the thumb pressing downward upon the thumb-piece C and the forefinger of the same hand raising upward the free end of the tilting plate D. This makes a'shed for the passage of the needle carrying the darning thread or yarn, through which said needle and thread are passed. Astitch is taken in the fabric at the side toward which the needle was turned and the darning apparatus reversed in the hand of the operator.

The thumb-piece D is then depressed and the tilting plate 0 raised, alternating the positions of the Warp-threads and providing a shed for the passage of the darning-thread. The needle is passed through the shed, a stitch taken in the fabric, as before, and the darning apparatus again reversed in the hand of the operator preparatory to making another passage of the darning-needle through the shed between the warp-threads. The transverse threads are thus woven alternately over and under the warp-threads of thedarn much the. same as the woof-threads are woven into the fabric in the process of weaving.

In practice woof or transverse threads are filled in until the opening is closed to the loops 0 and D The warp-threads are then pressed downward, springing the free ends of the loops away from the stems thereof and Withdrawing the warp threads from said loops. The hoop B is then removed from the framework A and the darning apparatus from the fabric. The frame A is made small enough so that the apparatus may be placed in any desirable position in stockings of ordinary sizes.

I claim as my invention-.-

' 1. In a darning apparatus, in combination, a frame for holding the fabric to be darned; two series of harness-loops extending transversely across the darner-frame near the middle thereof, the openingin each of said loops extending substantially at right angles to the line of the series to which the loop belongs, said loops being norm ally substantially closed at all sides; a pivotal support for each of said series of harness-loops; and means for applying power to move said series in opposite directions upon their said pivots.

2. In a darning apparatus, in combination, a frame for holding the fabric to be darned; two series of harn ess-loops, the opening in each of said loops extending substantially at right anglesto the line of the series to which the loop belongs, said series extending trans versely across the darner-frame near the middle thereof, said loops being normally substantially closed at all sides; a pivotal support for each of said loop series; and a thumbpiece for each series, for moving the same.

3. In a darning apparatus, in combination, a frame for holding the fabric to be darned; two tilting plates at opposite ends of said frame, which plates face each other; a series of loops on each of said plates on the adja cent edges thereof, which loops are in eye form, normally substantially closed at all sides; and a thumb-piece for each tilting plate adapted to move the same.

4. In a darning apparatus, in combination, a frame for holding the fabric to be darned; two series of harness-loops, the opening in each of said loops extending substantially at right angles to the lines of the series to which the loop belongs, said series extending transversely across the darner-frame'near the middle thereof, said loops being normally substantially closed at all sides; a pivotal support on the frame on opposite sides thereof, for each of said series of loops; and means for applying power to move said series in opposite directions upon their said pivots.

5. In a darning apparatus, in combination, an elliptical frame for holding the fabric to be darned; two series of harness-loops, said loops being in eye form, normally substantially closed at all sides; a tilting plate-for supporting each of said series of loops; and a pivot and a thumb-piece for each of said plates.

6. In a darning apparatus, in combination, a frame for holding the fabric to be darned; two tilting plates pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said frame; a series of harnessloops on each of the adjacent edges of said plates, said loops being in eye form, normally substantially closed at all sides, the loops of one series alternating in position with those of the other series; and a thumb piece for each of said tilting plates, for moving said plate.

7. In a darning apparatus, in combination, a frame for holding the fabric to be darned; two tilting plates therefor, which plates face each other, each of which is provided with an upturned rear end, and is pivotally mounted near one end of said frame; and a series of harness-loops fixed upon the front edge of said tilting plates, the loops of one series alternating in position with the adjacent loops of the other series.

EDNA D. WHITE.

Witnesses: FRED C. BAKER, JOHN J. WHITE. 

